Cooling system



Dec. 18, 1934. I 5' WILLIAMS 1,985,198

I COOLING SYSTEM Filed May 12, 1933 INVENTOR 0U/IO4/VB M/lLL/AMS Patented Dec. 18, 1934 PATENT OFFICE COOLING SYSTEM Duncan B. Williams Glen Ridge, N. J., assignor to Carbide and Carbon Chemicals Corporation, a corporation of New York Application May 12, 1933, Serial No. 670,671

11 Claims. (Cl.123-174) This invention relates to a heat-transfer or cooling system for internal combustion engines.

The conventional form of cooling system as now employed on autombile engines and the like consists of a radiator, a jacketed cylinder block, and a circulatory path therebetween, through which a cooling medium, usually water, is circulated by means of a pump. The common type of such a system is subject to well recognized disadvantages, not the least of which is the continual danger of leakage and loss of the cooling liquid. This may take place through loose rubber hose connections, improper or worn out pump packings, or by expansion and evaporation of the liquid, with its subsequent escape through the usual radiator overflow pipe. The means for permitting overflow and escape of generated vapors also provides an atmospheric vent through which the system is at all times open to the free admission of air, and it is a commonly accepted fact that aeration of the cooling liquid materially accelerates its corrosive action on the metals of the cooling system. This corrosion may proceed to such an extent as to cause failure of certain metal portions of the system, providing further means of escape for the cooling liquid, and also very probably necessitating expensive replacements. Furthermore the formation of rust on the iron cylinder block is particularly objectionable, as this rust may be carried into the radiator, and by obstructing the radiator passages, cause overheating and general inemciency of the engine.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved cooling system, especially applicable to internal combustion engines of the typeused in automobiles and the like, in which the above enumerated disadvantages are entirely eliminated. It is a further object to provide a system more efllcient in its cooling function, and one adapted to permit higher operating temperatures, with corresponding increased efliciency of the engine; In accordance with the invention a radiator of the usualtype may be employed. This forms part of a circulatory system having a portion in heat exchange relation with the engine through the common form of jacketed cylinder block. Metallic connections are used in place of the ordinary rubber hose, which together with a packingless pump, entirely eliminates any source of leakage of the cooling liquid at these points. The

system is hermetically sealed to prevent admission of air, and is completely full at all times with the cooling liquid. Thus no aeration is possible,

in the system, and with the further aid of a noncorrosive cooling medium, corrosion can be virtually eliminated. Means are provided to permit expansion of the cooling liquid with a rise in temperature, which means are preferably so arranged and adapted as to maintain a substantially atmospheric pressure within the system under all 5 normal operating conditions.

Further advantages in a system of this type are made possible by proper selection of the cooling medium. A liquid of high boiling and low freezing point will permit of higher engine operating temperatures, with the assurance of continuous protection against freezing in cold weather. Suitable for this purpose are certain antifreeze solutions heretofore known consisting of the mono or polyhydroxy alcohols or their 15 mixtures with water. I especially prefer as the cooling medium the alkylene or polyalkylene glycols of the 1,2 series,- although glycerine and other high boiling liquids may also be appropriate.

As further illustrative of my invention, and the 20 advantages thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawing wherein:

- Fig. 1 represents in side elevation one modi fication of the invention as applied to an auto.- mobile engine, and

Fig. 2 is a section on theline II-II of Fig. 1.

Reference numeral 2 indicates the usual form of jacketed cylinder block such as might be used on a V type engine. A radiator 3 in also in general construction of conventional form. Pipe 30 lines 4 and 5 lead respectively from the top and bottom of the radiator to the cylinder jacket 2 to provide a circulating path therebetween, and the pump 6, preferably packingless, but in any event liquid tight, provides circulation of the cooling liquid. Metallic members 7 are provided as connecting links in the lines '4 and 5 at points where heretoforerubber hose has commonly been used.

As shown these members are in the form of flexible bellows which may be sweated into place to 40 provide an absolutely leak proof ,joint, but still one sufiiciently flexible to absorb vibration. In another modification the radiator might be rigid- 1y connected to the engine by suitable brackets,

in which case it would not be necessary to make 45 these connections flexible, but in any event a'leak proof joint is provided.

Connected with the passage 5 is a riser 8, on the top of which is placed an expansion tank 9. This expansion tank is also of a bellows type, 50 and is adapted to expand and contract with the cooling liquid as the temperature of. the latter changes. A vent 11 on the top 'ofthe expansion tank, and a similar one 12 in the upper part of the radiator permit escape of air when the system is being filled with the cooling liquid. A by-pass valve 14 and a safety valve 15 are both connected with an overflow pipe 16, all three of the latter members being provided for emergency purposes only. The filler cap 1'1 on the top of the radiator is adapted to form an air tight seal at this point.

In operation this cooling system will function efiiciently without further attention after it is once filled with the cooling liquid and sealed. As in the usual system the cooling medium is introduced through the filler opening covered by the cap 17. While filling the vents 11 and 12 are open to permit escape of air, and liquid is added until the system including the expansion tank 9 is completely filled with the cooling medium. The vents Hand 12 are then closed, and the filler cap 17 is sealed in place, leaving the system devoid of air spaces. The by-pass valve 14 and safety valve 15 are also normally closed and are provided merely as safety devices. If through accident, or other remote causes, undue pressure is built up within the system, it will be relieved throughthe valve 15, which is connected with the top oi. the radiator and also the pipe 16. This valve may be set to discharge at any desired pressure, and in the present instance it will open only when the pressure exceeds 15 pounds gauge. The valve 14 forms a by-pass between the radiator and the pipe 16, and is opened only to permit the latter to serve as an overflow pipe, if for any reason the cooling liquid may have escaped, and it becomes necessary to operate the system temporarily with water in the conventional manner.

' Normally the system is entirely closed to outside air, and is completely free from aeration of the cooling liquid.

As previously mentioned the bellows expansion tank 9 is provided to permit expansion of the cooling liquid as it heats up during operation of the engine. The capacity of this bellows is preterably such as to accommodate the entire liquid expansion to be encountered under normal operating temperatures, without causing to be set up within the system a pressure substantially greater than atmospheric. The type and size of bellows required to function in this manner may be predetermined, and will vary depending upon the maximum engine operating temperature desired, and the volume and nature of the cooling liquid required to maintain this temperature. On original filling oi. the system with cooling fluid, the expansion and contraction range oi the bellows may then be'so adjusted as to maintain the pressure desired in the system, while at the same time compensating for changes in volume of the cooling fluid in such manner as to keep the system completely full of liquid at all normal operating temperatures.

The cooling medium employed in this system is of decided importance in enhancing the advantages of my invention, although it is not necessarily limited in this respect. I prefer for this purpose the monoalkylene or dialkylene glycols oi the 1,2 type, which can be used alone or mixed with water to provide a cooling solution or a boiling point appropriate to maintain the most eminent engine operating temperature. With the present type of automobile engine, a liquid consisting 01' about equal volumes oi ethylene glycol and water is especially suitable in my cooling system. Such a solution has a boiling point high enough to permit a more efficient engine operating temperature than that possible with the ordinary water cooling system, and its i'reezing point is so low as to give all the protection sion inhibitor may be added if desired, but where reference herein is made to a glycol cooling solution, it is intended to include one containing "such additions.

The embodiment oi. the'invention as here described is adapted for application to the present day motor vehicle without change in the engine design, other than the cooling system. .As a new car leaves the production line the cooling liquid may be added and the system entirely sealed. Once adjusted for maximum operating efliciency, the engine will be maintained in this condition during the life of the vehicle, in so far as the cooling system may effect this efiiciency. Leakage, corrosion, and other common ills of the ordinary cooling system are entirely eliminated, and with other advantages as enumerated heretofore, no further care or attention on the part of the owner of the vehicle is necessary to maintain proper and efficient cooling.

To those skilled in the art modifications in the particular structure shown and described will be apparent, and the invention should not be limited other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A cooling system for internal combustion engines comprising a circulatory system including a radiator and a portion in heat exchange relation with the engine, a cooling medium completely filling said circulatory system and permanently sealed therein against access of air, and means within said system adapted to permit expansion of said cooling medium with rise in temperature.

2. A cooling system for internal combustion engines comprising a circulatory system including a 40 within said system adapted to permit normal ex- 45 pansion of said cooling medium with rise in temperature, whereby substantially atmospheric pressure is maintained within the system.

3. A cooling system for internal combustion engines comprisinga circulatory system including a radiator, and a portion in heat exchange relation with the engine, a cooling medium completely filling said circulatory system and permanently sealed therein against access of air, and

means within said system including an expansible bellows adapted to permit expansion of said cooling medium with rise in temperature.

4. A cooling system for internal combustion engines comprising a circulatory system including a radiator, and a portion in heat exchange relationwith the engine, a cooling medium hermetically sealed within said circulatory system and completely filling the same to exclude all air, and means within said system including a bellows expansion tank adapted to permit normal expansion of said cooling medium with rise in temperature, whereby substantially atmospheric pressure is maintained within the system.

5. A cooling system for internal combustion engines comprising a circulatory system entirely of metal including a radiator and a portion in heat exchange relation with the engine, a noncorrosive cooling medium of higher boiling and lower freezing point than water completely filling said circulatory system and permanently 75 sealed therein against access of air, and means m a s ing liquid containing alkylene glycols of the 1, 2'

series completely filling said circulatory system and permanently sealed therein against access of air, and means within said system adapted to permit normal expansion of said cooling liquid with rise in temperature.

'7. A cooling system for internal combustion engines comprising a circulatory system entirely of metal including a radiator and a portion in heat exchange relation with the engine, an ethylene glycol cooling liquid completely filling said circulatory system and permanently sealed.

therein against access of air, and means including an expansible bellows adapted to permit expansion of said cooling liquid with risein temperature, whereby substantially atmospheric pressure is maintained within the system.

8. In a hermetically sealed cooling system for an internal combustion engine, a circulatory system in heat exchange relation with the engine, a cooling fluid completely fllling said system, and means within said system for compensating for changes in volume of said cooling fluid due to changes in temperature thereof, whereby the system is maintained completely full under all operating conditions.

9. In a hermetically sealed cooling system for an internal combustion engine, a circulatory system in heat exchange relation with the engine,

substantially greater than a cooling fluid completely fllling said system, and

means within said system including a bellows adapted to compensate for changes in volume of said cooling fluid due to changes in temperature thereof, whereby the system is maintained at all times completely full of fluid.

10. In a hermetically sealed coolingsystem for an internal combustion engine, a circulatory system in heat exchange relation with the engine, a cooling fluid containing ethylene glycol completely fllling said system, and means within said system including a bellows expansion tank adapted to compensate for changes of volume of said cooling fluid due to changes in temperature thereof, whereby the system is maintained at all times completely full of fluid without building up atmospheric pressure within the system.

11. A cooling system for internal combustion engines comprising a radiator, a jacketed c yI-. inder block, means including metallic bellows connecting said radiator and cylinder jacket to form a circulatory system therebetween, a packingless pump adapted to circulate cooling fluid in said circulating system, a cooling fluid of ethylene glycol and water hermetically sealed within said circulatory system and completely filling the same to exclude all air, and means within said system including a bellows expansion tank adapted to compensate for changes in volume of said cooling fluid due to'changes in temperature thereof, whereby the system is maintained completely full oi fluid, without building up substantially greater than atmospheric pressure within the system.

DUNCAN B. WILLIAMS. 

